🍳DailyRecipes
Dinner

Fresh Homemade Basil Pesto

A vibrant and classic green sauce that brings a burst of fresh flavor to your favorite pasta dishes.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· July 16, 2026
Fresh Homemade Basil Pesto
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
0 minutes
Total
10 minutes
Serves
4

There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh basil hitting a food processor. This pesto recipe is a kitchen staple because it uses simple ingredients to create a bold, herbaceous flavor that store bought jars just cannot match.

I love keeping a batch of this in the fridge for busy weeknights. It is the perfect quick fix to turn a simple bowl of pasta or a piece of grilled chicken into something special.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed tightly
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts toasted
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Add the fresh basil leaves and pine nuts to a food processor and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped.

  2. 2

    Add the garlic and Parmesan cheese to the mix and pulse again until combined.

  3. 3

    With the food processor running on low speed, slowly pour the olive oil through the lid opening in a steady stream.

  4. 4

    Stop the processor once the mixture is smooth and emulsified.

  5. 5

    Taste the pesto and stir in the salt and pepper according to your preference.

  6. 6

    Transfer to a jar or bowl and serve immediately or store for later.

💡 Tips

Store your leftover pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it in an ice cube tray for easy portions later. If you want to keep the bright green color, press a thin layer of olive oil directly onto the surface of the sauce before covering.

#Vegetarian#Gluten Free#Pasta Sauce#Italian#Easy Recipe

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